PhonePe's Indus Appstore crosses 1 lakh downloads in three days

Indus Appstore, the Android-based application store launched by PhonePe, announced on Monday (February 26) that it has surpassed one lakh downloads within three days of its debut.

The app store was officially launched for consumers to download on February 21 with over two lakh mobile apps and games available across 45 categories. Currently, it is a side-loaded application, meaning that users will have to download it from the website and grant additional permissions.

According to PhonePe, the rapid adoption highlights the enthusiastic reception and necessity for an app store closely aligned with the preferences of Indian consumers.

Reflecting on this milestone, Akash Dongre, Chief Product Officer and Co-founder of Indus Appstore, expressed his delight, stating, " Reaching over a lakh downloads in just three days confirms that India is ready for a homegrown app store that prioritises the needs of its diverse users and fosters a vibrant developer community. This is only the beginning; we're committed to continuously evolving Indus Appstore to make it the go-to destination for apps in India."

PhonePe added that early feedback from developers, tech enthusiasts, and users has been positive, with particular commendation for its zero-commission model, support for 12 regional languages, and innovative video-led app discovery feature.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics & IT, was present at the launch. Key industry leaders, including representatives from Dream11, Hotstar, Hungama, Bharat Matrimony, DailyHunt, IXIGO, and MapmyIndia, were also present at the event.

Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa of India, delivered a keynote address, where he highlighted the potential of the Indus Appstore in bolstering India's technological leadership.

Kant remarked, "What we are seeing today is really a demonstration of India’s tech power and its great ability to build a unique innovation. The creation of India’s app store is very, very timely, it’s very needed. It will bridge the expectations between the developers and app store providers and, by supporting it in 12 languages, I think the Indus Appstore will really strengthen the Android position as a very competitive choice in India."

Earlier in January, Dongre told CNBC-TV18 that industry leaders, app developers and OEMS were keen on the app store's launch. The app will be a direct competition to Google's Play Store, which currently holds 95% share in the Android smartphone market in India.